The majestic and elegant Balinese is a beautiful Siamese cat with a long coat. The eyes of the Balinese glint with mischief while the long coat flows all over the body without hampering the movements of the cat. This cat is named after the graceful dancers of Bali and the muscular body is covered with long, silky, ermine coat. The fluid grace and aristocratic air of the cat tend to remind one of the royal upbringing of the ancestors of Balinese.
Physical Traits
Area of Origin: Indonesia
Used for: Companion
Average Life Span: 9-15 years
Color: Seal, chocolate, blue, lilac
Coat: Long, fine, silky
Average Height: Medium-size
Average Weight: 5-10 pounds
History and Domestication
The Balinese is named after the graceful dancers of Indonesian island of Bali. It is a longhaired variety of the Siamese. However it is not uncertain whether its long coat is a result of natural mutation or cross with Persian Angora. Although longhaired Siamese have existed for quite a long time, the Balinese only gained recognition in 1961.
Standard Physical Characteristics
Balinese are dainty and sleek cats with fine boning and long tubular bodies. In fact, these cats can be called the epitome of long and svelte bodies, fringed tail with hair, boned legs which are all long. From tip to tip, it is a graceful and elegant cat whether you see it from tip of the nose to tip of the tail or from up to down. The long head is triangular and it tapers and flares from nose to ears. It maybe dainty and elegant from outside but has a muscular body giving the appearance of silk on steel. The big and long eyes are generally green or sapphire blue in color.
Care, Grooming and Health
The long, fine and silky coat of the Balinese is easy to care for. Comb or brush it every once in a week to remove dead hair. A bath is rarely required. Brush their teeth regularly.
These are active and athletic cats. Keep them busy with toys and puzzles. They love playing fetch. This breed is prone to genetic problems, amyloidosis, crossed eye, bronchial diseases and congenital heart defects.
Living Conditions
This is an indoor cat and very conversive but less insistent than the Siamese. If you are looking for a cat to spend time and interact with, this is the cat for you. The feline will pot and pine with little or no attention.
Temperament
These are lovely and affectionate cats, very social and amiable. They are very fond of their people and would try their best to be ‘helpful’ to you, even if that means supervising your every mood. They are not loud and insistent like Siamese but certainly opinionated like them. These cats will communicate with you and voice their opinions and expect you to listen to them carefully. They are intelligent, athletic and agile and love to play.
